Landscaping block and system for use

ABSTRACT

An “L”-shaped landscaping block provides a ledge for supporting concrete slabs used to create landscaping structures such as walkways, stairs and the like. A ridge or openings with protruding members on the bottom of the block engage a lower slab when used as a riser to create steps and prevents shifting of the riser and slabs relative to one another. Stands are provided which are pinned into the ground and support the landscape blocks from beneath to prevent shifting, heaving or sinking with the ground. Angled or curved landscaping blocks are used to created angled or curved corners. Profiled landscaping blocks and slabs are used to create lowered curbs at driveway accesses.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a regular application claiming priority of U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/539,591, filed Jan. 29, 2004,the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to blocks and particularly to shapedconcrete blocks and systems for use in landscaping for formingsidewalks, ramps, steps and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to use blocks, typically made from molded, poured concrete,in landscaping to form sidewalks, stairs, patios and the like.

Typically, large 2′×2′ patio blocks or sidewalk slabs are used to createthese structures, by first excavating an area, laying a foundation ofgravel and sand and then placing the slabs, one next to the other in thedesired arrangement. For creating stairs, it is also known to use asmaller cement riser which is positioned, on edge, between patio slabswhich may or may not lay on the ground at the rear and are supported onefrom the other, at the front, by the riser.

Substantially “L-shaped” border blocks are also known and are typicallyused as curbs at transitions between lawns or planting beds andwalkways, roadways and the like or are used to create terraced effectsto transition slopes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,042 to Richardt and U.S. Pat.No. 6,594,959 to Whitson, teach such border bricks.

The use of slabs to create walkways and landscaping structures isparticularly problematic in northern climates where freezing and thawingof the ground may result in heaving and sinking of the foundationbeneath the structure. Alterations in the foundation typically createuneven structures which, as soon as any amount of weight is place on theslabs, may crack as the slabs become unsupported from beneath. Further,and particularly in the case of stairs, the slabs and risers may becaused to shift, resulting in unstable and unsafe arrangements that arenot only dangerous, but are also aesthetically unpleasing.

Clearly, a stable system is required which supports the slabs regardlesswhether there is disruption in the foundation due to heaving and sinkingand which permits the creation of stairs and the like which remainintact over time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a block of thepresent invention, illustrating a restraining means formed along abottom inner edge for retaining a sidewalk or patio slab or the liketherealong;

FIG. 1 b is a perspective of an alternative embodiment of a block of thepresent invention, illustrating an alternate restraining means of a dadoformed adjacent the bottom inner edge for inserting a protruding meanstherein;

FIGS. 2 a-c are side views of a step formed using embodiments of theblock adapted for use with sidewalk or patio slabs and the like and moreparticularly,

FIG. 2 a is a side view of the step formed using the block according toFIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 b is a side view of the step formed using the block according toFIG. 1 b; and

FIG. 2 c is a side view of the step formed using the block according toFIG. 1 b and having corresponding openings formed in an upper face of asecond slab;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of a block stand according to anembodiment of the invention, the block stand adapted for engaging alandscaping pin and supporting a sidewalk or patio slab or a portion ofa slab thereon;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the block according to FIG. 1 a supported onthe block stand engaged with a landscaping pin, according to FIG. 3, andadapted for supporting a sidewalk or patio slab thereon;

FIG. 5 a is a partial perspective view of a sidewalk formed using theblock stand and block according to FIG. 4 and supporting sidewalk orpatio slabs, the surrounding earth and grass being removed from theforeground to better view the system;

FIG. 5 b is a plan view of a sidewalk formed using a plurality of theblocks and stands according to FIGS. 1 a-2 b and FIG. 3 respectively,the blocks forming an edge and supporting sidewalk or patio slabsthereon;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a set of stairs formed using the systemaccording to FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an end block for supporting an end edge of awalkway or the like, the inner inset ledges being notched for insertion;

FIG. 8 a is a plan view of an arrangement of a combination oflandscaping blocks according to FIGS. 1 a-1 b and a right angle cornerlandscaping block embodiment for forming a right angle corner in awalkway;

FIG. 8 b is a plan view of an arrangement of a combination oflandscaping blocks according to FIGS. 1 a-1 b and a curved landscapingblock embodiment for forming a curved corner in a walkway; and

FIG. 9 is a partial side view illustrating an embodiment of theinvention wherein a combination of landscaping blocks according to FIGS.1 a-1 b and a profiled landscaping block embodiment are used such as forforming a lowered curb at a driveway.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A substantially “L”-shaped landscaping block provides support forconcrete slabs such as patio or sidewalk slabs for creating landscapingstructures such as walkways, stairs and the like, at least a portion ofthe slabs being supported on an inner inset ledge of the landscapingblock. Restraining means acting between the landscaping block and theslabs is particularly useful for creating a step or stairs which resistshifting as a result of a disturbance in the ground or foundation.Further, a system, incorporating stands pinned into the ground, providesadditional support for the landscaping blocks to prevent shifting,heaving or sinking.

In one broad aspect, a landscaping block comprises a substantiallyrectangular body having an upstanding portion formed along an outerupper edge of the body for forming an inset ledge along an inner edge ofthe body for supporting at least a portion of a first substantially flatmember thereon; and restraining means for engaging between a bottom edgeof the body and an adjacent lower and rearwardly extending secondsubstantially flat member for restraining rearward movement of the bodyrelative to the second flat member, when engaged.

The restraining means, which may be a downwardly depending ridge unitarywith the block or a groove or dado or plurality of openings whichcorrespond with a protruding member such as a metal strip, pegs, wafersor the like, is particularly useful when the landscaping block is usedas a riser in creating stairs or steps. The restraining means engagesbetween the treads in the steps to prevent outward shifting of the riserand the slabs relative to one another. Further, stands can be used tosupport a portion of the landscaping blocks from beneath to provideadditional support and resistance to shifting, heaving or sinking.

In another broad aspect, a method of forming a landscaping stepcomprises: providing a least a first and a second substantially flatmember for forming at least first and second treads; and positioning alandscaping block between the at least first and second steps forforming a riser, the landscaping block comprising a substantiallyrectangular body having an upstanding portion formed along an outerupper edge of the body forming an inner inset ledge, and restrainingmeans on a bottom inner edge of the body for engaging between thelandscape block and the second tread, the first tread supported on theinner inset ledge for forming an upper tread and the second treadengaging the restraining means for forming a lower tread.

In yet another broad aspect, a system for forming a landscapingstructure comprises: a plurality of landscaping blocks, each blockcomprising a substantially rectangular body having an upstanding portionformed along an outer, upper edge of the body for forming an inner insetledge; a plurality of substantially flat members wherein landscapingblocks are positioned on opposing sides of the plurality of flat membersaligned to form a walkway, the landscaping blocks acting to support thesubstantially flat members on the inner inset ledges therebetween; and aplurality of spaced stands for supporting at least a portion of thelandscaping blocks from beneath, the stands comprising a surface forsupporting the landscaping blocks, a positioning member connected at acenter of an underside of the stand's surface, and a pin for engagingthe positioning member wherein when the pin is driven into the ground,the stand is supported for supporting at least a portion of thelandscaping blocks thereon.

When a stair or step is to be incorporated into the landscapingstructure, such as in a walkway, the restraining means on thelandscaping block engages the lower tread as previously describedproviding additional resistance to shifting of the slabs and landscapingblocks, relative to one another.

Curved or right-angled landscaping blocks are used for creating cornersin sidewalks. Specially shaped or cut slabs sized to fit between theopposing angled or curved landscaping blocks are used to complete thecorner.

Further, profiled landscaping blocks may be used to form a ramp and maybe further used in combination with correspondingly profiled slabs.Profiled slabs and blocks may be used to create a lowered curb in asidewalk at a driveway to permit cars to readily access the drivewayover the sidewalk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1 a-b and 2 a-c, a unitary “L”-shaped landscapingblock 1 is formed having an elongate body 2, substantially rectangularin cross-section and an upstanding portion 3 formed along an outer andupper edge 4 of the body 2 for forming an inner inset ledge 5. The innerinset ledge 5 is adapted for supporting a substantially flat member 6thereon, such as a sidewalk or patio slab or the like. Further, thelandscaping block 1 comprises restraining means 7 in a bottom 8 forengaging between the landscaping block 1 and an adjacent lower structuresuch as an outwardly extending sidewalk or patio slab 6. The restrainingmeans 7 is particularly useful when forming a step (FIGS. 2 a-2 b). Asshown in FIG. 1 a, the restraining means 7 may be formed as a downwarddepending ridge 9 formed along a bottom inner edge 10 of the landscapingblock 1 or, as shown in FIG. 1 b, the restraining means 7 may be formedas a dado, groove or a plurality of openings 11 formed along the bottom8 adjacent the inner edge 10 and into which a protruding member 12, suchas a metal strip, wafers, discs, pins, tabs or metal pegs, is placed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 a-b, embodiments of the landscaping block 1 areparticularly useful for forming a riser 13 in a step 14. In each case,at least first and second slabs 20, 21 are provided for forming a firstupper 23 and a second lower tread 24 of the step 14. The restrainingmeans 7 acts to engage the lower tread 24, while the inner inset ledge 5engages the upper tread 23. Typically, little excavation is required toposition the slabs 20, 21 and landscape blocks 1. Should the groundheave the slabs 20, 21 remain supported as the landscape block 1, actingas the riser 13, remains engaged between the slabs 20, 21 by therestraining means 7 and by the outer upper edge 4.

In another embodiment, (FIG. 2 c) a corresponding dado, groove, openingor plurality of openings 11 is formed in an upper face of the secondslab 21 forming the lower tread 24 and the protruding member 12 or aplurality of protruding members 12 is inserted therebetween to engageboth the landscaping block 1 and the slab 21.

Preferably, the landscaping blocks 1 are formed having a length that isdifferent than the slabs 6, or the landscaping blocks 1 and the slabs 6are offset so as to position joins between abutted landscaping blocks 1away from the joins in abutted slabs 6, thus increasing the strength ofthe landscaping structure.

With reference to FIGS. 3-6, in yet another embodiment, a system isprovided for use of the landscaping block 1 to create a landscapingstructure. The system comprises a plurality of the landscaping blocks 1,a plurality of block stands 30 and a plurality of pins 31. The blockstands 30 are supported on pins 31 and underlie the landscaping blocks 1for further supporting the blocks 1 when used in landscaping. The systemmay be used regardless whether building a stair (FIG. 6), a patio or asidewalk or walkway (FIG. 5 a) or other landscape structures.

As shown in FIG. 3, each block stand 30 comprises a surface 32 forsupporting the landscaping block 1. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, apositioning means 33 is connected at about a center of an underside ofthe support surface 32 for supportably engaging a pin 31 which is driveninto the ground to anchor the block stand 30. In a preferred embodiment,the support surface 32 is a flat metal plate and the positioning means33 is a tubular member which acts as a socket to engage the pin 31.

In Use

Use of the landscaping blocks 1 and system is described herein in thecontext of a walkway however those skilled in the art would understandthat the system is applicable to creating other landscaping structuresand is therefore not limited solely to creation of walkways.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 a and 5 b, the system may be used for laying awalkway of sidewalk slabs 6. Landscaping blocks 1 are supported by blockstands 30 and pins 31. The stands 30 are typically spaced to coincidewith joins between abutted landscaping blocks 1 used for forming edgesalong the walkway and for supporting the walkway slabs 6. The flat metalplate 32 is positioned to span the adjacent landscaping blocks 1, thepositioning means 33 and pin 31 being positioned approximately beneaththe join therebetween.

Best shown in FIG. 5 a, a trench 34 is excavated into which a pluralityof pins 31 are driven, each at a pre-measured interval, typically thelength of a landscaping block 1. A block stand 30 is placed on each ofthe pins 31, the socket 33 engaging the pin 31, and are leveled relativeto one another and to the terrain. A plurality of landscaping blocks 1are supported on the block stands 30, typically placing an end of eachlandscaping block 1 at a mid point of each block stand 30. Correspondingand opposing landscaping blocks 1 are spaced sufficiently to supportslabs 20, 21, 22 between the inner inset ledges 5 of the opposinglandscaping blocks 1.

In a preferred embodiment, the trench 34 and elevation of the surface 32of the block stands 30 is sufficient to position a top 35 of thelandscaping blocks 1 at or slightly above the level of the surroundingterrain 36.

As shown in FIG. 7, at an end 50 of the walkway, a landscaping block 1may be positioned at right angles to the opposing landscaping blocks 1to support and enclose the end 50 of the walkway. The inner inset ledge5 of the end landscaping block 51 is notched at either end 52, 53sufficient to permit insertion between the inner inset ledges 5 of theopposing landscaping blocks 1. Similarly, where a step 14 is to beincorporated into the walkway, the riser 13 may be notched to permitinsertion between the opposing landscaping blocks 1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 a-2 b and 6, and in the case where a step 14 is tobe formed in the walkway, a riser 13 is positioned between the lowertread 24 and the upper tread 23, the restraining means 7 of the riser 13engaging the lower tread 24 as previously described and supporting theupper tread 23 at the inner inset ledge 5.

Having reference to FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, and shown used in a walkway, thelandscaping block 1 can be linear or formed having a shape such as anyof a plurality of angles, such as a right angle (FIG. 8 a), or curved(FIG. 8 b) for use in making walkways or the like having an angled orcurved corner 40. The shaped landscaping blocks 1 are formed having anoutside edge 41 and an inside edge 42 with opposing inner inset ledges5. In use, slabs 6 are cut, shaped or poured to correspond with thecurved outside and inside edges 41, 42.

As shown in FIG. 9, profiled landscaping blocks 60 and profiled slabs 62may be used in combination with linear landscaping blocks 1 and slabs 6to form a sloped change in elevation such as at a walkway adjacent thetransition between a driveway and a roadway. Preferably, the landscapingblocks 60 can be profiled from a first end 43 to a second end 44. Theprofiled landscaping blocks 60 act to lower the curb 61 at the driveway.A correspondingly profiled slab 62 is poured such that the profiled slab62 rests on a profiled inner inset ledge 63 of the profiled landscapingblock 60. The profiled blocks 60 and corresponding slabs 62 may beparticularly useful in creating municipal or urban walkways.

1. A landscaping block comprising: an elongate body being substantiallyrectangular in cross-section having an upstanding portion extendingalong an outer and upper edge of the body for forming an inset ledgealong an inner and upper edge of the body for supporting at least aportion of a first substantially flat member thereon; and restrainingmeans for engaging between a bottom edge of the body and an adjacentlower structure for restraining movement of the body relative to thelower structure, when engaged.
 2. The landscaping block as described inclaim 1 wherein the restraining means further comprises a downwardlydepending ridge formed along the bottom inner edge of the landscapingblock for engaging an edge of lower structure.
 3. The landscaping blockas described in claim 1 wherein the restraining means further comprisesat least one opening formed in the bottom of the body for accepting aprotruding member therein for engaging an edge of the lower structure.4. The landscaping block as described in claim 3 wherein the restrainingmeans further comprises an opening in an upper face of the lowerstructure for receiving the protruding member therein and engaging thelower structure thereto.
 5. The landscaping block as described in claim1 wherein the first substantially flat member is a sidewalk slab.
 6. Thelandscaping block as described in claim 1 wherein the lower structure isa second substantially flat member.
 7. The landscaping block asdescribed in claim 1 wherein the landscaping block is curved.
 8. Thelandscaping block as described in claim 1 wherein the landscaping blockis formed having an angle.
 9. The landscaping block as described inclaim 1 wherein the inset ledge is profiled from a first end to a secondend for supporting a profiled member thereon.
 10. A method of forming alandscaping step comprising the steps of: providing a least a first anda second substantially flat member for forming at least first and secondtreads; and positioning a landscaping block between the at least firstand second steps for forming a riser, the landscaping block comprisingan elongate body being substantially rectangular in cross-section,having an upstanding portion formed along an outer and upper edge of thebody forming an inner inset ledge and restraining means on a bottominner edge of the body for engaging between the landscape block and thesecond tread, the first tread supported on the inner inset ledge forforming an upper tread and the second tread engaging the restrainingmeans for forming a lower tread.
 11. The method as described in claim 10wherein the restraining means further comprises a downwardly dependingridge formed along the bottom inner edge of the landscaping block forengaging an edge of the lower tread.
 12. The method as described inclaim 10 wherein the restraining means further comprises at least oneopening formed in the bottom of the body for accepting a protrudingmember therein for engaging an edge of the lower tread.
 13. The methodas described in claim 10 wherein the restraining means further comprisesan opening in an upper face of the lower tread for receiving theprotruding member therein.
 14. The method as described in claim 10wherein the at least first and second substantially flat members aresidewalk slabs.
 15. The method as described in claim 10 furthercomprising the steps of: providing a plurality of stands for supportingat least a portion of the landscaping blocks thereon from beneath, thestands having a surface upon which the landscaping blocks are supported;a positioning means connected at about a center of an underside of thesurface; and a pin; driving the pin into the ground; engaging thepositioning means with the pin; and supporting a landscaping block onthe stand's surface after which the substantially flat members aresupported on the inset ledge of the landscaping blocks.
 16. The methodas described in claim 15 wherein the positioning means is a tubularmember forming a socket.
 17. The method as described in claim 10 furthercomprising the step of arranging landscaping blocks having opposinginset ledges for supporting opposing sides adjacent the riser of each ofat least the first and second treads.
 18. The method as described inclaim 17 further comprising the step of notching the inset ledge of theriser to permit insertion of the riser between the opposing inset ledgesof the landscaping blocks.
 19. A system for forming a landscapingstructure comprising: a plurality of landscaping blocks, each blockcomprising an elongate body being substantially rectangular incross-section, having an upstanding portion formed along an outer andupper edge of the body for forming an inner inset ledge; a plurality ofsubstantially flat members wherein landscaping blocks are positioned onopposing sides of the plurality of flat members aligned to form thelandscaping structure, the landscaping blocks acting to support thesubstantially flat members on the inner inset ledges therebetween; and aplurality of spaced stands for supporting at least a portion of thelandscaping blocks from beneath, the stands comprising a surface forsupporting the landscaping blocks; a positioning member connected at acenter of an underside of the stand's surface; and a pin for engagingthe positioning member wherein when the pin is driven into the ground,the stand is supported for supporting at least a portion of thelandscaping blocks thereon.
 20. The system as described in claim 19wherein the plurality of substantially flat members are sidewalk slabs.21. The system as described in claim 19 wherein the positioning means isa tubular member for forming a socket.
 22. The system as described inclaim 19 wherein at least two or more of the plurality of landscapeblocks is curved and at least one or more of the substantially flatmembers has corresponding curved edges for forming a curved landscapingstructure.
 23. The system as described in claim 19 wherein at least twoor more of the plurality of landscape blocks is formed having an angleand at least one or more of the substantially flat members hascorresponding angled edges for forming an angled landscaping structure.24. The system as described in claim 19 further comprising a profiledslab and wherein the inner inset ledge of opposing landscape blocks isprofiled from a first end to a second end for supporting the profiledslab thereon for forming a lowered curb structure.
 25. The system asdescribed in claim 19 wherein a landscape block is positioned at an endof the landscaping structure at right angles to adjacent opposinglandscape blocks, the inner inset ledge being notched to permitinsertion of the end landscape block between the inner inset ledges ofthe opposing landscape blocks.
 26. A system for forming a landscapingstructure comprising a plurality of landscaping blocks according toclaim 1 further comprising: a plurality of substantially flat membersfor forming the landscaping structure, wherein landscaping blocks arepositioned on opposing sides of the plurality of substantially flatmembers aligned to form the landscaping structure, the landscapingblocks acting to support the substantially flat members on the innerinset ledges therebetween; and a plurality of stands for supporting atleast a portion of the landscaping blocks from beneath, the standscomprising a surface for supporting the landscaping blocks; apositioning member connected at a center of an underside of the surface;and a pin for engaging the positioning member wherein when the pin isdriven into the ground, the stand is supported for supporting at least aportion of the landscaping blocks thereon.
 27. The system as describedin claim 26 wherein the plurality of substantially flat members aresidewalk slabs.
 28. The system as described in claim 26 wherein thepositioning means is a tubular member for forming a socket.
 29. Thesystem as described in claim 27 wherein a step is to be incorporatedinto the landscaping structure further comprising: a landscaping blockpositioned between at least a first lower substantially flat member anda second upper substantially flat member for forming a riser, the lowersubstantially flat member engaging the restraining means for preventingmovement therebetween and the upper flat member supported on the innerinset ledge for forming the step.
 30. The system as described in claim27 wherein the restraining means further comprises a downwardlydepending ridge formed along the bottom inner edge of the landscapingblock for engaging an edge of the lower substantially flat member. 31.The system as described in claim 27 wherein the restraining meansfurther comprises at least one opening formed in the bottom of the bodyfor accepting a protruding member therein for engaging an edge of thelower substantially flat member.
 32. The system as described in claim 31wherein the restraining means further comprises an opening in an upperface of the lower substantially flat member for receiving the protrudingmember therein.
 33. The system as described in claim 27 wherein thelower and upper substantially flat members are sidewalk slabs.